/Polysomnography

2011-12

See your Career Program Advisor to help you get in the right classes.

Polysomnography Technology Advanced Technical Certificate

Set Yourself Up for a Great Career

Potential Careers • Polysomnographic Technologist

Polysomnography technologists are integral members of the allied healthcare community and perform a vital role in the diagnosis

Potential Earnings

and treatment of sleep disorders. Sleep technicians are highly

For salary and wage information, visit: http://floridawages.com/

specialized professionals who use sophisticated medical technology and work hand in hand with physicians to provide

Contacts

comprehensive clinical evaluations and restore patients' sleep and

Health Sciences Career Program Advisor West Campus: 407-582-1288

neurological health. Valencia’s program provides a strong educational base in therapeutic techniques using online courses, a

For more information, visit our Web site at: valenciacollege.edu/west/health

state-of-the art simulated sleep lab, and hands-on experience at some of the community’s major medical centers and sleep

Typical Tasks May Include…

diagnostic centers.

• Preparing, evaluating and monitoring patients during sleep studies • Operating sophisticated computerized equipment to collect and analyze physiologic patient data during sleep

Note:

• Recognizing and responding to critical events that can occur during sleep

The Polysomnography Technology program is a selective admission, limited enrollment program. Course content is presented online with the exception of clinical and laboratory experiences.

• Using therapeutic techniques for treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders • Participating in patient education and making recommendations to the physician for treatment plan coordination

Potential Employers The Polysomnographic Technologist works primarily in hospitals and in independently owned sleep clinics. Other career opportunities are available as a traveling sleep technician, in home sleep scoring, sales, public education and advocacy, consulting, sleep center management, or research facilities.

©2011 Valencia College ASP032911-08

Drafting and Design Polysomnography Technology Technology SECOND TERM

Polysomnography Technology

Course

Advanced Technical Certificate

+* PSG 1001 +* PSG 1001L

Limited-Access

This program is designed for individuals who have earned at least an Associate in Science Degree in Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences or the equivalent or who currently are enrolled in the final term of an accredited Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences program. Academic credentials must be approved by the Health Sciences Division.

Program courses are designed to prepare graduates to take the Registered Polysomnography Technologist examination administered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) and enter the workplace in various types of sleep disorder centers as a Polysomnographic Technologist. Completion of this program does not ensure permission to take the credentialing examination. All theory components of the program are offered only in the online format. All laboratory courses are held on the West Campus, while clinical experiences are completed in the Central Florida sleep disorder centers.

+* PSG 1801L

Title

Polysomnographic Technology II Polysomnographic Technology Laboratory II Polysomnographic Technology Clinical Practicum II Total Credits Total Certificate Credits

All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.

Admission requirements for the Advanced Technical Certificate in Polysomnography Technology are: Submit a completed Valencia Application for Admission

•

Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (including transfer work)

•

Be enrolled in, or have completed, a Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences program within the last year or have one year of practice in Respiratory Care within the five years prior to date of admission

•

Provide evidence of current Florida licensure as a Certified Respiratory Therapist or a Registered Respiratory Therapist

•

Submit proof of current CPR certification – AHA provider

•

Submit a completed Valencia Polysomnography Technology application

Program Outcomes: • Perform entry level skills competently as described by the scope of practice for Polysomnography.

• Perform effective communication skills within the healthcare setting.

• Provide a safe environment within the healthcare setting.

• Practice professional behaviors within a healthcare setting.

• Execute safe clinical decision making in Polysomnography.

FIRST TERM Course

+* PSG 1000 +* PSG 1000L +* PSG 1800L

Title

Credits

Polysomnographic Technology I Polysomnographic Technology Laboratory I Polysomnographic Technology Clinical Practicum I Total Credits

3 1 1 5 10

NOTES: All accepted applicants are required to submit applications through Valencia for a criminal background check. Applicants for Valencia’s Health Sciences programs must be free of offenses that would disqualify them from a student clinical experience in a healthcare setting and must have their civil rights intact. This policy is in response to requirements by clinical agencies and state/federal regulations.

Polysomnography Technology is a limited-access program. Admission to Valencia does not imply acceptance to the Polysomnography Technology program. Students must submit an application and be accepted to the program.

•

Credits

3 1 1 5 Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus. + This course must be completed with a grade of C or better. * This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Valencia College Program Guide for the Advanced Technical Certificate in Polysomnography Technology ADMISSION CRITERIA and CHECKLIST for 2011-12 Check http://valenciacollege.edu/west/health/admissionupdates.cfm for any admission updates.

The Polysomnography Technology Program at Valencia is a limited access program which means that more students want to be in the program than Valencia can serve; however, there is no application deadline and you will be admitted to the program on a first-come, first-served basis if you satisfy all of the admission requirements. The program will be offered in the Summer Term 2012 (May - August). Because the program has limited enrollment, you may not be able to begin the program at the next start date. Applicants who decline entry for their identified admission term must reapply to the program. The admission requirements that must be met prior to submitting an application to the Polysomnograpy Technology Program are: _______1.

Submit a completed Valencia Application for Admission via Valencia’s Web site www.valenciacollege.edu/admissions, pay the application fee and be in Active Student Status.

_______2.

Satisfy A, B or C utilizing a degree from a Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) at a regionallyaccredited U.S. institution.

A. Be enrolled in the final term of a Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences degree program by the start of the Polysomnography Program and submit a letter of recommendation, with indicated date of degree graduation, from a full-time faculty member in the degree program. NOTE: Students must submit documentation of a national credential in Respiratory Care from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) prior to the awarding of the Advanced Technical Certificate in Polysomnography Technology.

B. Send to Valencia’s Admissions Office an official transcript indicating graduation, within the year prior to program application, with the minimum of an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences AND submit either documentation of a national credential in Respiratory Care from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) OR documentation of eligibility to take the examination for a national credential in Respiratory Care from NBRC. Students who submit documentation of examination eligibility must submit documentation of a national credential in Respiratory Care from the NBRC prior to the awarding of the Advanced Technical Certificate in Polysomnography Technology C. Send to Valencia’s Admissions Office an official transcript that indicates you have earned the minimum of an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care or Cardiopulmonary Sciences AND submit documentation of a national credential in Respiratory Care from the NBRC AND submit documentation of one year of employment in respiratory care within the five years prior to program application. Documentation of employment must be on official letterhead and attached to the program application.

_______3.

Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5 including transfer work.

_______4.

Review program information on the Valencia Polysomnography Web site at www.valenciacollege.edu/health and review the Health Sciences Program Guidelines in this Guide.

_______ 5.

After completing Numbers 1 – 4, submit a Valencia Polysomnography Program application, pay the $15 non-refundable Health Sciences program application fee and submit the required documentation.

If eligible for admission, you will be placed on the acceptance list for the next available space. The application can be found at www.valenciacollege.edu/health.

The estimated total cost for the Polysomnography Program, including tuition, special course fees, books, and associated expenses such as the background check and certification is $2,500.

HEALTH SCIENCES PROGRAMS GUIDELINES for ALL LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAMS EXCEPT THE B.S. IN RADIOLOGIC AND IMAGING SCIENCES Valencia’s Health Sciences programs are offered through the Divisions of Allied Health and Nursing which provide information about specific admission criteria for the programs. The Health Sciences Program Guides, of which this is one, are developed for a specific academic year (August to July) and, as a rule, changes to admission and program requirements become effective at the start of an academic year; however, Valencia College reserves the right to make changes in admission and program requirements as circumstances require. If a mid-year change becomes necessary, it will be indicated in the information for the specific program on the Valencia Web site at http://valenciacollege.edu/west/health/admissionupdates.cfm.

Most programs have an application deadline; some do not. If a program application deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday or a Valencia holiday, the deadline will become the following Valencia business day. Health Sciences program applications are available at www.valenciacollege.edu/health.

To submit an application to a Health Sciences program, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

You may apply to a maximum of two limited access Health Sciences programs within a 12-month period; however, enrollment is limited to only one Health Sciences program in a term. A new program application is required if reapplying for admission. Having previously earned a college degree does not grant you an advantage in admission to a Health Sciences program that does not require a degree for admission nor does it exempt you from taking the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) if the TEAS is required for admission to the program.

All communication from Valencia relative to program admission will be via your Atlas e-mail address. Written communication you initiate with Valencia staff should also be via your Atlas e-mail account and should include your full name and your Valencia ID number.

BACKGROUND CHECK, DRUG TESTING, IMMUNIZATIONS AND CPR CERTIFICATION The Health Sciences programs include student clinical rotations in external affiliate health care facilities with which Valencia has contracts for student clinicals. The affiliates’ policies require that students serving in a clinical rotation have their civil rights intact and be free of specific offenses that would disqualify them for a student clinical. Thus, all students accepted to a Health Sciences program are required to submit to a criminal background check and drug testing and provide documentation of specific immunizations and CPR certification following acceptance to a program; the timeframe for meeting these requirements will be provided in the Orientation materials.

If you have a positive background check or drug testing, you may be denied enrollment in a Health Sciences program due to the inability to participate in a student clinical. If you have concerns regarding your background, you are encouraged to make contact with the Health Sciences Career Program Advisor.

MANDATORY ORIENTATION The mandatory program Orientation for accepted students usually is held four to six weeks prior to the program start date. If accepted to a program, about two months prior to the start of the program, you will be notified via your Atlas e-mail of the mandatory Orientation program, requirements, and deadlines. The Orientation materials will give you the processes required to complete your background check and drug testing through a specific company, the immunizations and CPR you will need, your uniform requirements (if any) and other pertinent information.

TRANSPORTATION TO CLINICAL SITES If accepted to a program, you will be responsible for furnishing transportation to the community and/or hospital facilities used by Valencia for clinical practice.

Valencia is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

POLYSOMNOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM

First Term Course +* PSG 1000 +* PSG 1000L +*^ PSG 1800L

Second Term Course +* PSG 1001 +* PSG 1001L +*^ PSG 1801L

Title

Credits

Polysomnographic Technology I Polysomnographic Technology Laboratory I Polysomnographic Technology Clinical Practicum I Total Credits

Title

3 1 1 5

Credits

Polysomnographic Technology II Polysomnographic Technology Laboratory II Polysomnographic Technology Clinical Practicum II Total Credits

3 1 1 5

Total Certificate Credits

10

+ This course must be completed with a grade of C or better. * This course has a prerequisite; check the description in the Valencia catalog. ^ This course provides for clinical rotation in accredited sleep centers and clinical facilities in Central Florida. The clinical experience is required to enhance skills related to the set-up, interpretation, and treatment of sleep disorders. Standards in sleep medicine are set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and successful completion of the Advanced Technical Certificate will qualify individuals to sit for the credentialing examination through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) and/or the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Courses are offered such that they can be assimilated into the employed professional’s schedule.

Students enroll in three courses per term.

CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION AND PROGRESSION

INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY: For the purpose of the Polysomnography Technology Program, a “qualified individual with a disability is one who, with or without reasonable accommodations or modifications, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in the program." The Division of Allied Health at Valencia makes no preadmission inquiries concerning an applicant’s disability status. Information related to an applicant’s disabilities is not a part of the information reviewed by the Admission Committee.

Polysomnography Technology is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements the following list of "Core Performance Standards" has been developed. Each standard has an example of an activity or activities, which a student will be required to perform while enrolled in the Polysomnography Program. These standards are a part of each Polysomnography course and of the professional role expectation of a Polysomnograpy Technologist.

These Performance Standards should be used to assist students in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary for the student to meet program requirements. A student who identifies potential difficulties with meeting the Performance Standards should communicate his/her concerns to an advisor in the Office for Students with Disabilities. The student has the responsibility to identify and document the disability and to request reasonable and appropriate adjustments. Determination is made on an individual basis as to whether any accommodations or modifications can be reasonably made.

Issue

Standard

________________

_______________________________________

Some Examples of Necessary Activities (not all inclusive) ________________________________________

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment

Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations, develop patient care plans

Interpersonal

Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds

Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues

Communication

Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form

Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret actions and patient/client responses

Mobility

Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces

Moves around in patient's rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas, administer cardiopulmonary procedures

Motor Skills

Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care

Calibrate and use equipment; position patients/clients

Hearing

Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs

Hears monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help

Visual

Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in patient care

Observes patient/client responses

Tactile

Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment

Perform palpation, functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention.